Miles vs Salazar.. Analyzing Issues

[Hawkeye-X]

What I would like for you to analyze the issues from both websites and critique them. That way we can decide if Salazar or Miles is worth a vote. Or not.

Hawkeye-X

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Education

Mike Miles:

Support Public Education

The so-called “No Child Left Behind” education legislation is taking valuable resources away from the very school districts that need them most. The legislation is not helpful to schools and actually undermines a district’s ability to teach all students. And this year, 60 percent of all Colorado schools will fail to meet the unrealistic targets established by the law. Ben Campbell and the other politicians who voted for the legislation needed only to do a little homework and ask the right questions to foresee the problems with the legislation.

I will work to repeal or revise NCLB. If we are to judge schools and teachers based on student performance on standardized tests, then let us at least measure success based on student progress over time. Let us hold teachers (and students and parents) accountable for one year’s growth in a year. If a child, who is reading at the 5th grade level when he starts the eighth grade, ends the year reading at the 7th grade level, we should applaud the teacher and the child. That child will not be proficient on the eighth grade state assessment (CSAP), but that test will not tell the true story. It makes no sense to praise or rebuke a child at the finish line without knowing where that child started.

As a former teacher and principal, and as a statewide instructor in school improvement, I know what it takes to leave no child behind. I know about accountability and getting results. As a principal of a middle school, I turned a failing school around, holding myself and the teachers accountable for student achievement and student behavior. We supported Colorado’s assessment program (CSAP), and went beyond it, helping students to think critically and become technologically proficient.

While teachers are being held accountable for high standards and are working hard to meet them, the state and national education debates have rarely focused on ways to make teaching a more attractive profession, including finding ways to increase teacher compensation. Teachers do not get paid enough, and it is time we walked our talk as a society. I will be one of the few who will argue that point clearly and will have the experience to back up what I say.

Instead of mandating national assessments and focusing on unrealistic academic comparisons, Washington should help states retain and recruit good teachers. I will propose a tax credit for teachers who reach their fifth year and agree to sign up for three more years. I also support a plan to forgive a portion of a teacher’s college debt if he or she acquires non-probationary status.

Ken Salazar:
EDUCATION - GIVING OUR CHILDREN A CHANCE TO SUCCEED

My parents always said they couldn't give us riches, but they could give us an education. All eight of us children went to school in the San Luis Valley, and then on to college. My education helped with everything I have achieved in life. Now I want to help insure that every child has the same opportunity to succeed.

Colorado's future, indeed the nation's future, continues to depend on how well we educate our children. In our democratic and diverse society, our public schools have been a unifying force for 300 years. Nine of 10 American children attend K-12 public schools, including my two daughters. Ensuring that our public schools provide a quality education is the key to improving our economy, insuring our ability to compete and interact internationally, strengthening our military, bettering our foreign policy and, fundamentally, making America a better place.

The funding and support for public education, both K-12 and higher education, is primarily a state and local government function. However, for decades the federal government has provided secondary financial support and general guidance. Passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 is a continuation of the federal government's involvement. This law mandates that all school children meet standards for proficiency in reading and math, and also establishes requirements for school performance, student testing, teacher training, and other matters important to the success of our public schools. While the purposes are worthy, the law has proven to be inflexible and unnecessarily punitive and must be fixed. The requirements of No Child Left Behind are important, but are also costly. Washington has not kept its end of the bargain, and has shortchanged our schools by billions of dollars. These unfunded federal mandates are unfair and place enormous burdens on local schools and state governments.

In the Senate, one of my highest priorities will be to help make sure that Washington is responsive and responsible to the needs and concerns of state and local governments without ultimately supplanting their traditional authority, and that Washington supports, rather than undermines, our students, schools and teachers.

I support setting high standards for our kids, but we must provide the resources to our teachers and schools to meet them. The testing requirements under federal law should serve to diagnose where additional support is needed, not punish struggling schools or students. The promises of the federal government to help upgrade our schools, improve our educational resources and support our teachers must be honored.

To prepare our kids for school, we must strengthen our commitment to early childhood education. Studies consistently show such investments are re-paid in savings and benefits to society many times over. And after-school programs are proven ways to keep our kids safe, increase academic performance, and strengthen communities. As your Senator I will work to increase funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school, and after-school programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs.

We must also strengthen our commitment to higher education, at our universities, community colleges, trade schools and other places of learning. With tuition costs soaring, especially at state schools whose funding has been slashed due to budget shortfalls, America’s college students are finding it harder and harder to pay their way through school. We must keep higher education affordable and accessible to all students who pursue the dream of a college degree. We must also boost remedial education programs such as those that promote adult literacy. And we must support workers who take time off from the workplace, or find themselves unemployed, to develop the skills they need to adjust to changes in their industry or in the economy.

To compete in the world economy of the future, to live a good life, our children must be well educated. The American Dream demands that everyone, no matter their back-ground, deserves an opportunity to succeed. Improving our public education system is key to making that dream a reality. As your U.S. Senator, I will work to ensure that we provide educational opportunity for all our young people.

I strongly support public education, from early childhood education through high school and on through our colleges and universities. Quality education produces informed citizens and qualified workers. Our high school and college graduates form the backbone of our democracy, our free-enterprise system, and our all-volunteer armed forces.

I will push for programs that:

Protect the Sustainability of America's Public Schools by increasing funding and embracing innovation


Reduce class sizes and repair school buildings


Recruit and retain high quality teachers


Invest in books and technology


Fix and fund No Child Left Behind


Full funding of No Child Left Behind


Multiple measures of achievement


Additional resources for troubled schools


Honor promises to fund special education


Expand early childhood education


Expand after-school programs


Invest in creating safe school environments


Address achievement gap for low income and minority students


Make college more affordable


Increase Pell Grant funding for needy students


Double the HOPE Scholarship tax credits


Allow multiple student loan consolidation


Eliminate student loan origination fees


Support scientific research at our public universities

For more than 20 years, I have been active in education issues, in my community and in public service. I have long argued for increased funding for our public schools, and promoted safer learning environments to prevent youth violence and increase school safety. Specifically, I have:

Helped craft Colorado's state finance equalization law in the 1980s to provide a fairer system of funding for Colorado's less wealthy school districts.


Helped create early childhood education initiatives, including Colorado’s pre-school program.


Actively participated as Attorney General in the national Fight Crime-Invest in Kids program, dedicated to supporting Congressional efforts for expanded early childhood education and after school programs.


Spearheaded as Attorney General settlement of a contentious lawsuit to provide $190 million dollars in funding for repair of schools in our state's poorest school districts.


Helped develop the Safe Communities-Safe Schools Initiative, and the Anti-Bullying Project -- nationally recognized programs designed to address youth and school violence and safe learning environments.


Co-chaired the National Association of Attorneys General Children's Committee, which in April 2000 issued a report entitled "Bruised Inside, What Our Children Say About Youth Violence".


Served as a member of the Planning Board for the U.S. Surgeon General's first-ever Report on Youth Violence.


Drafted and successfully worked to pass legislation requiring school districts to adopt anti-bullying prevention and education policies.


Crafted legislation to revise school "report cards" required by the state to better inform parents what kinds of school safety efforts have been or are being implemented in their children’s' schools.


Annually created and issued the Attorney General's Manual on School Violence Prevention and Discipline for use by schools, students and parents.


Helped expand the Crime Stoppers hotline to create a Youth Crime Stoppers program, partnering with non-profit foundations and others to implement a statewide School Crime Stoppers Program. Pilot school district programs are already in place.


Successfully worked with the legislature to enhance information sharing between law enforcement, schools and the judicial system and created a model interagency agreement for information sharing for use by these systems.


Worked with Colorado DARE to implement the new DARE middle school curriculum in Colorado's schools and worked with the Colorado Department of Education and other partners to initiate a statewide working group on effective substance abuse education.


Launched a multi-year project intended to increase the number of Boys & Girls Club after-school programs to provide safe havens and activity for youth during the most risky hours.Mike Miles:

Support Public Education

The so-called “No Child Left Behind” education legislation is taking valuable resources away from the very school districts that need them most. The legislation is not helpful to schools and actually undermines a district’s ability to teach all students. And this year, 60 percent of all Colorado schools will fail to meet the unrealistic targets established by the law. Ben Campbell and the other politicians who voted for the legislation needed only to do a little homework and ask the right questions to foresee the problems with the legislation.

I will work to repeal or revise NCLB. If we are to judge schools and teachers based on student performance on standardized tests, then let us at least measure success based on student progress over time. Let us hold teachers (and students and parents) accountable for one year’s growth in a year. If a child, who is reading at the 5th grade level when he starts the eighth grade, ends the year reading at the 7th grade level, we should applaud the teacher and the child. That child will not be proficient on the eighth grade state assessment (CSAP), but that test will not tell the true story. It makes no sense to praise or rebuke a child at the finish line without knowing where that child started.

As a former teacher and principal, and as a statewide instructor in school improvement, I know what it takes to leave no child behind. I know about accountability and getting results. As a principal of a middle school, I turned a failing school around, holding myself and the teachers accountable for student achievement and student behavior. We supported Colorado’s assessment program (CSAP), and went beyond it, helping students to think critically and become technologically proficient.

While teachers are being held accountable for high standards and are working hard to meet them, the state and national education debates have rarely focused on ways to make teaching a more attractive profession, including finding ways to increase teacher compensation. Teachers do not get paid enough, and it is time we walked our talk as a society. I will be one of the few who will argue that point clearly and will have the experience to back up what I say.

Instead of mandating national assessments and focusing on unrealistic academic comparisons, Washington should help states retain and recruit good teachers. I will propose a tax credit for teachers who reach their fifth year and agree to sign up for three more years. I also support a plan to forgive a portion of a teacher’s college debt if he or she acquires non-probationary status.

Ken Salazar:
EDUCATION - GIVING OUR CHILDREN A CHANCE TO SUCCEED

My parents always said they couldn't give us riches, but they could give us an education. All eight of us children went to school in the San Luis Valley, and then on to college. My education helped with everything I have achieved in life. Now I want to help insure that every child has the same opportunity to succeed.

Colorado's future, indeed the nation's future, continues to depend on how well we educate our children. In our democratic and diverse society, our public schools have been a unifying force for 300 years. Nine of 10 American children attend K-12 public schools, including my two daughters. Ensuring that our public schools provide a quality education is the key to improving our economy, insuring our ability to compete and interact internationally, strengthening our military, bettering our foreign policy and, fundamentally, making America a better place.

The funding and support for public education, both K-12 and higher education, is primarily a state and local government function. However, for decades the federal government has provided secondary financial support and general guidance. Passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 is a continuation of the federal government's involvement. This law mandates that all school children meet standards for proficiency in reading and math, and also establishes requirements for school performance, student testing, teacher training, and other matters important to the success of our public schools. While the purposes are worthy, the law has proven to be inflexible and unnecessarily punitive and must be fixed. The requirements of No Child Left Behind are important, but are also costly. Washington has not kept its end of the bargain, and has shortchanged our schools by billions of dollars. These unfunded federal mandates are unfair and place enormous burdens on local schools and state governments.

In the Senate, one of my highest priorities will be to help make sure that Washington is responsive and responsible to the needs and concerns of state and local governments without ultimately supplanting their traditional authority, and that Washington supports, rather than undermines, our students, schools and teachers.

I support setting high standards for our kids, but we must provide the resources to our teachers and schools to meet them. The testing requirements under federal law should serve to diagnose where additional support is needed, not punish struggling schools or students. The promises of the federal government to help upgrade our schools, improve our educational resources and support our teachers must be honored.

To prepare our kids for school, we must strengthen our commitment to early childhood education. Studies consistently show such investments are re-paid in savings and benefits to society many times over. And after-school programs are proven ways to keep our kids safe, increase academic performance, and strengthen communities. As your Senator I will work to increase funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school, and after-school programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs.

We must also strengthen our commitment to higher education, at our universities, community colleges, trade schools and other places of learning. With tuition costs soaring, especially at state schools whose funding has been slashed due to budget shortfalls, America’s college students are finding it harder and harder to pay their way through school. We must keep higher education affordable and accessible to all students who pursue the dream of a college degree. We must also boost remedial education programs such as those that promote adult literacy. And we must support workers who take time off from the workplace, or find themselves unemployed, to develop the skills they need to adjust to changes in their industry or in the economy.

To compete in the world economy of the future, to live a good life, our children must be well educated. The American Dream demands that everyone, no matter their back-ground, deserves an opportunity to succeed. Improving our public education system is key to making that dream a reality. As your U.S. Senator, I will work to ensure that we provide educational opportunity for all our young people.

I strongly support public education, from early childhood education through high school and on through our colleges and universities. Quality education produces informed citizens and qualified workers. Our high school and college graduates form the backbone of our democracy, our free-enterprise system, and our all-volunteer armed forces.

I will push for programs that:

Protect the Sustainability of America's Public Schools by increasing funding and embracing innovation


Reduce class sizes and repair school buildings


Recruit and retain high quality teachers


Invest in books and technology


Fix and fund No Child Left Behind


Full funding of No Child Left Behind


Multiple measures of achievement


Additional resources for troubled schools


Honor promises to fund special education


Expand early childhood education


Expand after-school programs


Invest in creating safe school environments


Address achievement gap for low income and minority students


Make college more affordable


Increase Pell Grant funding for needy students


Double the HOPE Scholarship tax credits


Allow multiple student loan consolidation


Eliminate student loan origination fees


Support scientific research at our public universities

For more than 20 years, I have been active in education issues, in my community and in public service. I have long argued for increased funding for our public schools, and promoted safer learning environments to prevent youth violence and increase school safety. Specifically, I have:

Helped craft Colorado's state finance equalization law in the 1980s to provide a fairer system of funding for Colorado's less wealthy school districts.


Helped create early childhood education initiatives, including Colorado’s pre-school program.


Actively participated as Attorney General in the national Fight Crime-Invest in Kids program, dedicated to supporting Congressional efforts for expanded early childhood education and after school programs.


Spearheaded as Attorney General settlement of a contentious lawsuit to provide $190 million dollars in funding for repair of schools in our state's poorest school districts.


Helped develop the Safe Communities-Safe Schools Initiative, and the Anti-Bullying Project -- nationally recognized programs designed to address youth and school violence and safe learning environments.


Co-chaired the National Association of Attorneys General Children's Committee, which in April 2000 issued a report entitled "Bruised Inside, What Our Children Say About Youth Violence".


Served as a member of the Planning Board for the U.S. Surgeon General's first-ever Report on Youth Violence.


Drafted and successfully worked to pass legislation requiring school districts to adopt anti-bullying prevention and education policies.


Crafted legislation to revise school "report cards" required by the state to better inform parents what kinds of school safety efforts have been or are being implemented in their children’s' schools.


Annually created and issued the Attorney General's Manual on School Violence Prevention and Discipline for use by schools, students and parents.


Helped expand the Crime Stoppers hotline to create a Youth Crime Stoppers program, partnering with non-profit foundations and others to implement a statewide School Crime Stoppers Program. Pilot school district programs are already in place.


Successfully worked with the legislature to enhance information sharing between law enforcement, schools and the judicial system and created a model interagency agreement for information sharing for use by these systems.


Worked with Colorado DARE to implement the new DARE middle school curriculum in Colorado's schools and worked with the Colorado Department of Education and other partners to initiate a statewide working group on effective substance abuse education.


Launched a multi-year project intended to increase the number of Boys & Girls Club after-school programs to provide safe havens and activity for youth during the most risky hours.

[CO Liberal]

2. I'm Still Voting for Salazar

He's a proven winner in state-wide elections. And we need a winner!!!!

:kick:

[Kanary]

10. There was one state-wide race Salazar didn't win.

He lost to Mike Miles.

:)

Kanary

[DenverDem]

3. The ugly concept of electability.

As a new resident of Colorado and someone totally committed to delivering the Senate seat to Democrats, while I like Miles better, is he electable on 11/2?

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Yes!

He has the international experience needed for the job. It doesn't matter if Salazar is electable or not, but it's the work that Miles can deliver to Colorado that would make us VERY proud of him.

Hawkeye-X

[DenverDem]

5. Good, because he's who I am pushing.

Thanks.

[CO Liberal]

6. We Could Be Proud of Either Of These Men

Either one would be far better than Ben Nightmare Campbell.

I just think Ken Salazar is going to win the primary on Aug. 10th. But whichever candidate wins, I will support in the General Election.

[janx]

7. I agree with you, Hawkeye. I'm betting that it won't make

that much difference whether it's Salazar or Miles (in terms of "electability"). People are ready for a Dem senator now, and they'll probably vote for either of these two.

But I know how personally committed Miles is to education, among other things, and that's so important right now.

I got a chance to talk to Mike a couple of weeks ago and will be canvassing for him in my neighborhood this weekend.

Can't Salazar run for governor in 2006?

[CO Liberal]

14. You've Gotta Be Careful There....

A few years back, people thought that people were ready for a Dem Senator, and they nominated Dottie Lamm. Which is how Ben Nightmare Campbell go re-elected.

We need a winning candidate, and I believe that candidate is Ken Salazar.

[Liberalboy]

8. I'm torn...

Miles speaks to everything I stand for, but I couldn't live with my self if he lost because Salazar was more electable to moderate independents.

This was so much easier when I lived in a state that was heavily Democratic...

[janx]

9. Either one of them would be fine for moderate independents.

I can't think of anything in Mike's background that would scare them off. It really depends on who the moderate independents are and what they think is most important for Colorado.

[CO Liberal]

13. Ken Salazar has a Proven Track Record

You don't win a majority of the vote in state-wide elections in Colorado without attracting a lot of independent voters. And Ken Salazar has done that twice.

[Kanary]

20. Both of those were unknown names he ran against.

I will remind you that his LOSS was to......

........... MIKE MILES.

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

23. Only Because a Lot of His Supporters Decided Not to Travel to Pueblo

If they had, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now.

[Kanary]

24. You went off on another topic, because you couldn't reply

to what I said.

Salazar won against two *unknown* candidates.

He lost to Mike.

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

27. The Vote That Matters is August 10th

And I believe that in that one, Mike will end up on the short end of the stick.

[CO Liberal]

29. Wrong Again!!!

In 2002, Ken Salazar's opponents were Alison "Sunny" Maynard (Green Party - an attorney), Martha "Marti" Allbright (R - Former-Chief Deputy Attorney General and well-known in Republican circles), and Dwight K. Harding (Libertarian Party - an attorney

In 1998 his opponents were Republican John Suthers and Green Party candidate Wayne.

Just because YOU don't recognize their names does not mean that they were "unknowns" And Ken prevailed both times - just like I believe he will prevail against Mike Miles.

[travisleit01]

30. Too bad...

Let's hope you guys remember to show up on 8/10 - or Mike's our man!

[magpie]

31. I was in Pueblo - I'd like to see a list....

...of missing delegates. I was a delegate. Many of us were still undecided. It was some well-run campaigning from both. Then it was (finally) announced each candidate was to have 15 minutes. Very clear instructions. Mr. Salazar went over-time, then went over the red light, then said 'I'm not done.' There was an 'heir apparent' feel to it. Some people made up their minds right at that moment. Then Miles' turn. Both presentations were excellent. It was tough, close, exciting. There were not 400 empty seats, or missing delegates. Some of us were in the aisle. It was close. It was fair, and Miles won. The heir apparent feel continues. And Miles will win again.

[CO Liberal]

32. I Was Outside the Hall In Pueblo

I wasn't a delegate, but I was a volunteer in '96, the last time it was held in Pueblo. The was the Event Center is set up, there's no way to tell if 400 people were missing.

I'm sorry, but I feel that Ken Salazar is just more electable than Mike Miles. Especially id Schaffer get the GOP nod - then, Miles' inexperience in public office will become a campaign issue.

[serryjw]

38. I was there also......

and Miles was brilliant!

[CO Liberal]

39. Adlai Stevenson Was Brilliant, Too

And he lost to Dwight Eisenhower. Twice.

I still think Ken Salazar is more electable than Mike Miles. We'll have to wait until next Wednesday to see what the rank-and-file Democrats in Colroado think.

[Kanary]

11. That was the same argument for not voting for the more progressive

candidates earlier.

We get so bound up with fear that we vote for the candidate that we like least, then complain later when they don't perform as we want them to.

The primary is your chance to vote your heart.

This is our chance to have REAL representation in the Senate!

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

12. In Order to Have REAL Representation in the Senate.....

...we need to nominate a candidate who will WIN in November.

And I (and most pollsters) believe that candidate is Ken Saslazar.

[Kanary]

15. What good is that representation, if he votes against your best

interests?

I WANT REAL REPRESENTATION, NOT JUST THE "D" AFTER THE NAME!

And that mantra that Mike can't win is getting very old. Of course Mike can, and will, win.

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

16. And You're Mantra....

...just doesn't hold water.

You make it sound like Ken Salazar will sell us down the river. Which it totally untrue and completely wrong.

[Kanary]

18. Just like Lieberman hasn't "sold us down the river"?

[CO Liberal]

22. Lieberman Isn't Running in Colorado -

Please stop bringing up other politicians in a feeble attempt to besmirch Ken Salazar. It doesn't make Ken look bad - but it does place YOU in an unfavorable light.

[Kanary]

26. Salazar supported LIEBERMAN!

Talk about looking "bad"!!

LIke we really need one more Lieberman at the national level.

Kanary

[Hawkeye-X]

33. Miles vs Salazar - Presidential choices

Salazar:Lieberman
Why Miles? Why Salazar! (none / 0)

Miles is a very good fellow and is right on the issues. Salazar has only one of those qualities. Pro-war. Pro-Lieberman. Pro-dams. Anti-gay marriage. Not pro-environment (and there's good reason to think he'll be bad on the environment.) Pro forced pledge of allegiance. Pro "under god." Pro-vouchers. Pro DLC.

And Salazar was selected by the same goofballs who stomped Nichols, gave us Strickland twice, ignored Miles, and annointed Rutt Bridges in his place (!?).

The only reason to vote for Salazar is to give the Dems a majority in the Senate. For Colorado, Salazar in the senate will be business as usual. Lieberman business as usual.

I don't want to discount the value of a Dem majority in the senate, but it matters most if Kerry isn't in the White House. Otherwise, a Salazar victory will be taken as an endorsement of the Lieberman wing of the party. (Unfortunately, it is considered part of the party.) And of the Colorado Dem establishment.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2004/5/10/192540/572


And one of Miles' letter to me..

Dear Friend,

We are at a defining moment in the Democratic Party and nation. Let us keep faith with the values that have made us a great Party - compassion for those who struggle, fairness and equal rights for everyone, support for the ordinary person. Let us not be afraid to support teachers and public education, to fight for a universal, single payer health care system, to support laborers and small businesses, to promote a less arrogant foreign policy, and to take active steps to expand our use of alternative energy sources.

Proud to be a Democrat

I am proud to be a Democrat and my positions on issues reflect the values of the Democratic Party. As a soldier, statesman, and educator, I have served the public interests my entire life. I believe I can win the election in November because:
I have national and international experience in foreign policy, counterterrorism, and national security - these will be key issues in the race and in Congress.
I will attract veterans, educators, and people concerned about national security regardless of party affiliation.
Voters are tired of the usual politicians and want someone they can identify with.
My team is the only statewide grassroots organization currently in place.
I will have enough money to be competitive. The DSCC and Democrats across the state will raise money for whoever wins the primary.
Democrats, unaffiliated, and moderate voters want someone who has the courage to fight the fights that need fighting.

Government of, by, and for the people

Effective participation in government requires an informed electorate. You know me, and where I stand on the issues. You know Ken Salazar's name, but do you know where he stands on issues of importance to you? The attached sheet highlights some of our differences.

Be the change!

This is a defining moment for our Party and nation. We have the opportunity to create lasting changes in our country, in the lives of its citizens, and in our relationships with other nations. You must take the first step. Have the courage to use your voice and your vote to express what you believe is necessary and possible. I am asking you to attend your precinct caucus on April 13th. I need your help to take our country back and to prevent our Party from turning its back on some of our core principles. Follow me, for I intend to BE THE CHANGE!

On the issues - Miles vs. Salazar

Attorney General Ken Salazar is a good man and is a public servant. However, even he has to outline his positions on the various issues that will affect all Coloradoans. So far, he has revealed very little about his positions on health care, foreign policy, education, tax policy, the economy, and social issues. Salazar refuses to debate Mike Miles, appearing to want to win the nomination without defining his position to voters. The little we do know about Salazar's positions is outlined below.

Education:

MILES - Supports teachers and public schools Has raised student achievement in public schools Opposes vouchers and NCLB

SALAZAR - Supported voucher legislation in 2003 Supports mandatory recitation of Pledge of Allegiance (Denver Post, 17 Mar 04)

Foreign Policy:

MILES - One of few leaders who spoke out against the invasion of Iraq Supports a more engaging and less arrogant foreign policy Supports expanded role for United Nations in the reconstruction of Iraq Opposes the preemptive use of force doctrine

SALAZAR - Supported the President's actions in Iraq Please call Ken Salazar and ask him to define his position.

Health Care:

MILES - Believes we are in a crisis situation and will need a systemic overhaul of the health care system Supports single payer, universal health care modeled on the FEHBP that federal employees receive Is open to any idea that makes health care more affordable and more accessible

SALAZAR - Supports more affordable and accessible health care Please call Ken Salazar and ask him to define his position.

Gay Marriages:

MILES - Opposes Musgrave's Amendment Wants to move toward separation of Church and State, whereby all unions will be civil unions, and the same benefits and privileges are bestowed by the government to all couples regardless of sexual orientation

SALAZAR - "Marriage is between a man and a woman" (KOA radio interview, 18 Mar 04) Did not elaborate. Please call Ken Salazar and ask him to define his position. Opposes gay adoptions (Rocky Mountain News, 1 Apr 04)

Presidential Primary Endorsement

MILES - Howard Dean

SALAZAR - Joe Lieberman

---

That's why I chose Mike Miles. Most of Colorado will get the message and reject Salazar as a U.S. Senator.

Shaeffer is a buffoon anyway, and if he's associated with the 'Pukes, which we are increasingly rejecting, he's not going to win Colorado, and neither will Chimp McCokespoon as well as surprising the electorates.

Hawkeye-X

[CO Liberal]

34. I Disagree

That's why I chose Mike Miles. Most of Colorado will get the message and reject Salazar as a U.S. Senator.

I believe that most Democrats across Colorado will view Mike Miles as a fringe candidate, much like Howard Dean - whom he endorsed.

[CO Liberal]

35. Sorry, Hawkeye - I Just Don't See Miles As Being Electable

I believe that most Democrats will view him as a fringe candidate.

[Hawkeye-X]

36. Well let's wait until Aug 10th.

I'll support whoever wins the primary.

And at least, for your sake, watch Channel 9 at 6pm this Saturday.

Hawkeye-X

[CO Liberal]

37. I Can't Get Channel 9 Down Here

The only Denver station I get on DirecTV is Channel 2.

[CO Liberal]

17. Besides....

When you consider that Ken Salazar has about $3 million in campaign funds after only a few months of campaigning and Mike Miles has only $300,000 after two years, who do YOU think has the people in Colorado behind them????

:shrug:

[Kanary]

19. EXACTLY! Salazar has the corporate $$$ behind him.

Which do *YOU* want....... someone beholden to the corporate gods, or someone dedicated to the people?

Salazar is sooooooooo popular that he has to pay people to walk in parades for him.

Miles supporters walk and compaign because we believe in and love our candidate. We don't have to be paid for it, nor would we accept $$$ for it.

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

21. Not Even CLOSE, Kanary!!!

Here's the latest precentage breakdowns from www.opensecrets.org:

Salazar:
PAC Money - 13%
Individuals - 85%
Candidate - 0%
Other - 2%

Miles:
PAC Money - 0%
Individuals - 99%
Candidate - 1%
Other - 2%

So before you spread more lies about Salazar, please check your facts, OK????

Here's the link, in case you want to see for yourself:

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2004&id=COS1

[Kanary]

25. Lies, indeed.

:eyes:

You know that a big, big chunk of Salazar's money is from the Party, itself, not individuals.

You also know that over 95% of Mike's contributions have come from within Colorado, while about half of Salazar's money comes from *out of state*.

The point is, and I'm sure you're aware of this, the money donated to Mike Miles is coming in small amounts from common folk, just like in the Dean and Kucinich campaigns. Most of Salazar's money is in large donations. That speaks volumes about where the support is coming from.

As I keep saying, I want a Senator who is NOT beholden to anyone except his own constituency!

Kanary

[CO Liberal]

28. Read My Post #21 Again, Kanary

85% of Salazar's funds came from INDIVIDUALS - not the Party.

Sorry if the facts don't jive with your pre-conceived notions....